Surname Caffrey - Meaning and Origin
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Caffrey: What does the surname Caffrey mean?
The last name Caffrey is believed to be of Irish and Scottish origin and is derived from several different sources. It may be derived from the Gaelic word “caifrigh” meaning “victorious” or “victory”. It may also be derived from the Old English word “ceorl” meaning “a man of the lower rank”. The name may be derived from the Irish family, O Caffrey, who were a branch of the powerful Ó Dochartaigh (Derry) clan.
The variants of Caffrey that are in use today include Cafferty, Cator, Carwell, and Caffarey. The spelling of this name has evolved from its original form over time, with the spelling variations emerging as a result of phonetic and phonemic changes.
The Caffrey name can be found throughout Ireland, particularly in districts known for their historical connection to the Ó Dochartaigh clan. Additionally, Caffreys can be found throughout the English-speaking world, particularly in the United States and Canada, which suggests that the name gained wider popularity in the 19th century with the prevalence of mass emigration from Europe.
However, regardless of the origin of the name, the last name Caffrey has come to be associated with dignity, strength, and pride. It is a unique and enduring name that has been passed down through the generations and has been adopted and embraced by many families around the world.
Order DNA origin analysisCaffrey: Where does the name Caffrey come from?
The surname Caffrey is of Irish origin and is overwhelmingly more common in Ireland than other parts of the world. It is mostly a regional surname found mainly in the Ulster province of Ireland. In the U.S., where it is quite rare, the states with the highest frequency of the name are, in descending order, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New York, and California.
The Caffrey surname is derived from the Irish name Mac Céafraí, the anglicized version of the Gaelic surname. It is made up of the elements mac, meaning "son of," and céafraí, which itself is derived from the given name Cábhfair, meaning"handsome man." The Caffrey clan descended from chieftains of the Cenél nEoghain, a branch of the Airgialla, a powerful confederation of Irish clans.
Today, people with the last name Caffrey can be found in Ireland living in Counties Donegal and Tyrone. The large Irish diaspora spread to the U.K., Australia, Canada, the U.S. and elsewhere, which explains why the name is seen outside of Ireland as well. In Ireland, the name is now most common in the North East and Ulster Province, while in the U.S. the five states with the highest frequency are New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New York, and California.
Variations of the surname Caffrey
The surname Caffrey has a number of variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. It is an Anglicised form of the Irish surname Ó Caifreáigh, which is derived from the Gaelic personal name Caifeireach. This surname is also sometimes found as an English variant as Caffery or Caffery.
Other variants of the surname Caffrey include: Caffry, Kaffery, Kafeeery, Cafferty, Cafferkey, Cafferky, Cafrey, Cafferay, Coffee, Coffeey, Coffey, Coffery, Coffeee, Coffey, Cofferty, and Coffeery. There are also some Americanized versions of the name such as Caffari, Kaffari, and Caffle.
In addition to the various spellings of the Caffrey surname, there are a variety of similar surnames with the same origin. The surnames O'Coffrey, Coffee, Coffey, Coffer, Cafferty, Cafay, Caffarelli, Coffery, and Coffaro, are all related.
The Caffrey surname is particularly common in Ireland and has been found in Ireland since at least the 13th century with some of its earliest bearers being recorded in the Annals of the Four Masters. It is also found sporadically in England and Scotland. The various spellings of the surname and related surnames are primarily found in Ireland and the United States.
Famous people with the name Caffrey
- James Caffrey: Jim Caffrey is an Irish actor with a distinguished career on stage and television. He is best known for his roles in BBC ’s ‘The Irish RM’, Channel 4’s ‘Queer as Folk’, and ’Ganglands’ on RTÉ.
- Amber Caffrey: Amber Caffrey is an American television and film actress from California. She has made appearances in shows like Grey’s Anatomy, Castle, and Supernatural, as well as films such as Our Wild Hearts and Sharknado 4.
- Patrick Caffrey: Patrick Caffrey was an Irish barrister who was called to the Bar of Ireland and England in 1960. He was an avid horse-rider and a noted figure in the horse racing industry in Ireland.
- Elizabeth Caffrey: Elizabeth Caffrey is an American actress. She has appeared in films such as The Others and What We Did Last Summer as well as television shows like Dawson’s Creek and Good Behavior.
- Candy Caffrey: Candy Caffrey is a Canadian professional wrestler who is currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA). She is the former TNA Knockouts Tag Team Champion.
- Lisa Caffrey: Lisa Caffrey was the executive director of the United States Navy's Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) from 2008 to 2012.
- John Caffrey: John Caffrey was an Irish cricketer who represented Cork and played two first-class matches for the Irish national cricket team.
- Morgan Caffrey: Morgan Caffrey is an American actress and executive producer who has appeared in both television and film. She is best known for her role in the 2017 film, King Cobra.